Local executives are opening their wallets to help fund Barack Obama's inauguration festivities, but their rewards are far more meager than those lavished on contributors to the galas of previous presidents....

The Presidential Inaugural Committee yesterday postponed an effort to hand-issue tickets to the official inaugural balls and parade after a printing problem and overwhelming turnout bogged down the process....

Michelle Obama will go to no less than 10 society balls within one night to mark her husband's Barack Obama's inauguration. Her chosen gown however still remains a puzzle....

Michelle Obama will go to no less than 10 society balls within one night to mark her husband's Barack Obama's inauguration. Her chosen gown however still remains a puzzle....

It's the great inauguration sweepstakes! Free plane tickets for you and a guest, free hotel, plus tickets to the swearing-in ceremony for Barack Obama, the parade and one of the official balls!...

It's the great inauguration sweepstakes! Free plane tickets for you and a guest, free hotel, plus tickets to the swearing-in ceremony for Barack Obama, the parade and one of the official balls!...

The good news: There are going to be about a million inaugural balls....

The good news: There are going to be about a million inaugural balls....

Marching bands are tuning instruments and cheerleaders are readying pompoms in anticipation of getting selected to stroll on Pennsylvania Avenue in President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural parade....

With about 55,000 requests for fewer than 400 tickets to Barack Obama's inauguration, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin's staff says he has no choice but to dispense them in a random drawing. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, a fellow Maryland Democrat with 35,000 inquiries of her own, made the same decision. So did....